View the official press release.

Herrin, IL — Herrin Community Unit School District #4 has officially wrapped up its free Summer Lunch Program, concluding a season of remarkable impact for local youth across the region. Serving hundreds of families, the initiative delivered vital nutritional support to over 1,000 children—both in-district students and non-district youth alike—throughout the break, distributing a final total of over 63,400 meals and 16,000 snacks.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Summer Food Service Program bridges the nutritional gap for students during the summer months when standard school meal plans are unavailable. "The fact that we're feeding so many local kids shows just how important this program is for our community, and the response from our families has been incredible," said Herrin CUSD #4 Food Service Director Jeannine Coffey. "Making sure our kids have access to healthy meals all summer long has been a top priority for us, and we're so proud of what our team has been able to accomplish so far."

To make healthy eating convenient for local families, each distributed meal bundle was carefully packed with a full week’s worth of breakfast and lunch items, along with a few extra snacks. Designed intentionally to meet nutritional guidelines, the bundles included essential daily items like milk, fresh fruit, and vegetables, ensuring kids had well-balanced meals to power them through the week. To help ensure at-home prep was as simple as possible, the district carefully selected kid-friendly, easy-to-assemble items, accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions.

Running an operation of this magnitude required incredible planning and daily teamwork. Herrin CUSD #4 extends its sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes—braving the sweltering summer heat to prepare, pack, and distribute these meals with a smile.

A special recognition goes to Jeannine Coffey, Food Service Director for Herrin CUSD #4. Jeannine’s outstanding leadership, organization, and commitment to the community were the backbone of the program’s success, ensuring everything ran smoothly, efficiently, and with a high standard of service from day one through the final distribution.

For more information on Herrin CUSD #4’s upcoming school year programs, meal menus, or district updates, please visit our website at www.herrinschools.org or follow the district on social media @herrincusd4.